Psy-knife: These rare weapons are used only by powerful psionics and each device must be hand crafted and attuned to the mental energies of its user.The psy-knife appears as a small polished metallic cylinder. The psionic energy of its bearer may be projected through the cylinder forming a blade, about one foot in length, of pure mental energy capable of cutting through any known substance.

Psy-sword: Similar to the psy-knife, these more powerful weapons allow for the projection of a blade of mental energy over three feet long.

Space-axe: These heavy weapons have an axe blade on one end and a needle-sharp spike on the other and are heavily inlaid with or entirely composed of ultra-dense duranium. As the use of super scientific energy weapons or projectile weapons may be very hazardous in the environment of a starship and the shields of space armor are typically attuned to resist the output of energy weapons, the space-axe is often employed by space marines in boarding actions.

Space-sword: Similar to thespace-axe, these weapons are typically rapier like swords composed entirely of ultra-dense duranium and capable of being thrust through space armor and shields.

Vibro blade: Similar in appearance to a space sword, these weapons are composed of less dense metals but ultrasonic vibrations generated within the device increase the effectiveness of the blade making it nearly as efficient in piercing space armor and shields as a space sword.

Disintegrators (inter-planar): Although inter-planar powered disintegrators are often installed in Eyes or other devices equipped with interfogulators, hand held and man portable versions are beyond the super-scientific capabilities of Humanspace in the 621st century; however a few examples from inter-dimensional or contra temporal sources have been found.

A thin, green ray is emitted from these devices. No attack to hit is necessary, but targets may save versus death to negate the effects. Any creature of less than 16 HD struck by the ray is instantly disintegrated. A creature with 16 HD or greater that’s fails to save will be partially disintegrated and suffer 8d8 damage. When used against an object, the ray simply disintegrates as much as one 10’ cube of nonliving matter; the weapon disintegrates only part of any very large object or structure targeted. The ray affects even objects constructed entirely of force.

Disintegrator rifle (sub-atomic): Although experimental and somewhat rare, these heavy weapons are available in 621st century Humanspace.A beam of crackling black energy is emitted from these devices.

No attack to hit is necessary, but targets may save versus death to negate the effects. Any creature of less than 12 HD struck by the ray is instantly disintegrated. A creature with 12 HD or greater that’s fails to save will be partially disintegrated and suffer 6d8 damage. When used against an object, the beam disintegrates as much as one 8’ cube of matter. The atomic disintegrator also affects objects constructed of force. These weapons are attached by coils to an energy containment cylinder worn on the back. The cylinder is sufficient for 12 rounds of fire.

Disruptors: These weapons emit a bluish white pulse that disrupts matter at a sub-atomic level.Sustained disruptor fire will disintegrate one 1’ cube of matter in 6 rounds. These weapons are rare in Humanspace and are the typical arms of the Regulan and Hlutrgu.

Heat Rays: Heat rayweapons emit a red ray of thermal energy.Sustained heat ray fire will melt all but the densest matter (one 1’ cube of matter in 10 rounds). These devices can also be used to ignite flammable materials.

Lasers: Lasers are more primitive energy weapons, similar to heat rays, found on less developed worlds.

Lightning pistols:These bulky pistols are attached by coils to a power supply worn on the back and emit a powerful discharge of electricity similar to naturally occurring lightning that is 60’ long and 2’ wide. The discharge will set fire to combustibles and damages objects in its path. It can melt metals with a low melting point. Any creature caught in the area of effect receives a saving throw versus energy blast. A successful save reduces damage by half.

Lightning rifles:These weapons are generally similar to lightning pistols but the discharge is 60’ long and 5’ wide.

Needle Gun: These weapons, sometimes called needlers, look like ancient submachine guns, and rapidly fire bursts of small high velocity metal darts.Excepting the projectile, needlers are solid state. A clip of ammunition weighs 0.5 pounds and is sufficient for 20 rounds of fire.

Tangle Gun:These large pistols fire a multi-layered mass of strong, sticky strands. Creatures caught within the tangle become entrapped among the gluey fibers. Entangled creatures can’t move, but can break loose depending on their strength. Any being with strength in a human range can break free of the webs in 2d4 turns. Creatures of higher strength can break free in 4 rounds. The strands are highly flammable. All creatures within a burning tangle mass take 1d6 points of fire damage from the flames for 2 rounds. After this time surviving creatures are free of the strands. A clip of ammunition weighs 0.5 pounds and is sufficient for 6 shots.

Wavium pistol:These bulky pistols fire shells filled with depleted wavium pellets which explode when exposed to oxygen. The thin coating of the shell breaks on contact with the target, thus creating the explosion. These devices are not usable in space or other environments devoid of oxygen. Six rounds of ammunition weighs 0.5 pounds and is sufficient for 6 rounds of fire. The rounds are inserted into a cylinder in the weapon.

Wavium rifle:Similar to wavium pistols; these weapons are very long cumbersome rifles. A helical clip of ammunition weighs 1 pound and is sufficient for 12 rounds of fire.

X-ray weapons: These weapons emit an invisible ray of x-radiation that only affects living tissue.X-rays are capable of penetrating up to 15’ of all but the densest matter and still injuring a target. Due to their invisible beam, these weapons are popular with snipers and assassins.

Z-ray weapons: Also known as blasters, these weapons emit a blue ray of z-radiation.Sustained z-ray fire will disintegrate one 1’ cube of matter in 6 rounds.

Reviews

Blurbs

"Humanspace Empires is a pulp science fiction game set in the space opera "pre-history" of Prof. M.A.R. Barker's classic fantasy world of Tekumel...[with] a rules engine that implements the best aspects of the original fantasy role playing system and Empire of the Petal Throne..."

"Humanspace Empires is the best upcoming Science Fantasy project on the net. Forget Stars Without a Number, embrace your Sub-atomic Disintegrator Rifle and go shoot some motherfucking demon in the outer space!!"

"If you have run—and loved—an older edition of D&D than you will be completely comfortable running this system ... closer in spirit to the simple, pre-TSR OD&D variant Empire of the Petal Throne than the published one."

"A better one for the OSR: playing What If… with the original games. Humanspace Empires is what if with MAR Barker’s Empire of the Petal Throne, earlier in the timeline of that game and focused on the space opera aspects of the setting."

"This setting is like a combo of star wars, star trek, & dune on acid mixed with influences of old fashioned pulp in a blender with the setting on high mix! Got that! Its that good & this is only the playtest version!"